WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA), a senior House Democrat and leading voice speaking out against the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, released the following statement on the release by Senate Republicans of their secret Trumpcare legislation:

"Today Senate Republicans finally revealed their secret Trumpcare bill that they've been hiding behind closed doors and it's truly shameful. President Trump, himself, called the House Republican bill 'mean' and now we're seeing the Senate bill is just as cruel.

"The Senate's Trumpcare bill, just like the bill rammed through the House, would rip health care away from millions of Americans, strip protections for people with pre-existing conditions, make devastating cuts to Medicaid, take funding away from fighting the opioid crisis, and let insurance companies charge seniors five times more for coverage than younger Americans. All to give giant tax breaks to corporations and the richest people in our country. It's no wonder Senate Republicans kept this bill a secret for so long.

"Every single Republican should be forced to answer one question: Why do the rich deserve a tax cut more than millions of hardworking Americans deserve health care?

"This is a heartless proposal that will hurt veterans, rural communities, seniors, women, and millions of families in Massachusetts and across the country. What Republicans are doing is reprehensible and I can promise them that millions of Americans who would be hurt by this bill will not be silent."

"Healthcare ought to be a right in this country, not a privilege. Taking healthcare away from those who need it most to give a tax break to those who need it least is the very definition of cruel. We are going to fight like hell to stop this heartless bill."